Putting ice in fruit smoothies.

[Arwen]

For several months now I've been making fruit smoothies using only raw fruit and ice cubes. The result is, well, crushed juicy ice!
I don't like adding any kind of milk or milk-substitute product, and I find that water, even ice cold water, just doesn't do the trick. Is using ice ok, in raw food terms? It may sound like a daft question but I want to ensure I'm not doing anything to affect nutrient absorption or anything like that. None of the green juice or fruit smoothie recipes I've found on raw food websites mention ice so I'm not sure.

[jacsam]

Have you tried some froozen fruit. I know that fresh is the very best but when I can't get rassberries or blueberries I'll used froozen. Also if my bananas start to get too ripe I'll freeze them so that they don't go to waste and they're delicious in smoothies. I have used ice now and then but it's usually only 4 or 5 and it's because my fruit is room temperature and I feel like something cool. I've never heard anyone talk about ice cubes not being raw.

[Dann]

Have you tried some froozen fruit. I know that fresh is the very best but when I can't get rassberries or blueberries I'll used froozen. Also if my bananas start to get too ripe I'll freeze them so that they don't go to waste and they're delicious in smoothies. I have used ice now and then but it's usually only 4 or 5 and it's because my fruit is room temperature and I feel like something cool. I've never heard anyone talk about ice cubes not being raw.

Originally I used ice as an add-on. But I have since began freezing the fruit I put in and it doesn't need the ice unless I want to increase the volume of the drink or decrease the the concentration of the drink. either way works fine and doesn't hurt/help it at all.

[Eva]

When I make fruit smoothies and want it to be like a fruity ice cream-type smoothie, I put some soaked almonds or almond milk (or some almond butter if I'm feeling really lazy!) in with frozen bananas and whatever else and some water. I don't know exact quantities since I usually play it by ear, but you might like to try playing around with that. :)

[joyfulGIRL]

Maybe you need a new blade for your blender? that's a thought. I'd rather use fresh fruit and a couple ice cubes than frozen fruit. I really like a little chill to my smoothies, too.

[juliebove]

I don't make a lot of smoothies but I always add frozen berries to them. Daughter likes them that way.

[Revvell]

I never add ice to my smoothies. First of all, I don't like REALLY cold anything or REALLY hot anything yet, this is also what I heard many moons ago ~ possibly while studying TMC:

http://ligurshoang.blogspot.com/2007/12/food-and-digestion-reason-you-should.html

You'll find contradictions to the above. Basically, you've got to go with what you feel to do.

I've found my digestion to be much better when I don't freeze and shock all my internal organs and make them work harder. If I make smoothies ahead of time, I bring them to room temp before drinking.

You say.... "...and I find that water, even ice cold water, just doesn't do the trick." What "trick"? I'm not sure what that means. Texture? Temperature?

Revvell

[unbent]

Something that I like to do is freeze the milk and meat of young tai coconuts after putting them in a blender. I do this by pouring the mixture into an ice cube tray and once it sets up in the freezer I will put the cubes into a ziploc bag. Whenever I make a smoothie, green or not, I pop a couple of those cococubes into the mix.

Andy

[GoingtoRAW]

I love my smoothies ice cold so I freeze my fruit as well. If my smoothie isn't cold enough I just put it in the freezer for a while before I drink it.

[AvyB]

Something that I like to do is freeze the milk and meat of young tai coconuts after putting them in a blender. I do this by pouring the mixture into an ice cube tray and once it sets up in the freezer I will put the cubes into a ziploc bag. Whenever I make a smoothie, green or not, I pop a couple of those cococubes into the mix.

Andy

That sounds really good!! :)

[Arwen]

You say.... "...and I find that water, even ice cold water, just doesn't do the trick." What "trick"? I'm not sure what that means. Texture? Temperature?

Revvell

Both, but primarily texture. I find smoothies easier to swallow if I can imagine it's a Slush Puppy, since I've never liked milkshakes or smoothies much. I don't put ice in green smoothies though, I like to imagine they're gazpacho! Thanks for the link, I'll check it out, and thanks for your answers everyone. :)